Next Africa

Bloomberg

Next Africa is a weekly podcast about where Africa is going and why it matters to everyone. Each episode tells a story from the continent and follows it through real life, business, politics and culture. From electricity and climate to jobs, migration, technology, sport and music, the podcast looks at the forces shaping daily life and how those changes connect to the wider world. The show covers challenges and breakthroughs side by side. It explains the impact of energy shortages and climate risk, but also the rise of new industries, creative economies and young entrepreneurs. Stories are reported on the ground and told with clarity, combining data, context and lived experience. Hosted by Jennifer Zabasajja and built on original journalism from reporters on the ground, Next Africa puts local voices at the centre of the story, delivering clear, factual reporting without cliché or assumption. Whether you live on the continent or want to better understand a region shaping the future, Next Africa offers insight, perspective and stories worth listening to.

  1. China’s Growing Grip On Africa’s EV Fast Lane

    4 DAYS AGO

    China’s Growing Grip On Africa’s EV Fast Lane

    In Ethiopia, the share of electric vehicles on the road has jumped to 6% from just 1% after a 2024 ban on new gasoline-car imports.  Across Africa, EV adoption is now among the fastest-growing globally — with Chinese automakers capturing the lion’s share of the market. On today’s episode, Bloomberg’s Fasika Tadesse joins Jennifer Zabasajja to unpack what this surge looks like on the ground in Addis Ababa, while Asia transport reporter Linda Lew explains why companies like BYD are targeting African markets. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    18 min
  2. Could Dangote's Stock Listing Transform African Investing?

    24 APR

    Could Dangote's Stock Listing Transform African Investing?

    Aliko Dangote plans to sell about 10% of his oil-refining company on multiple African stock exchanges to help fund the next phase of the tycoon’s business empire.  The IPO comes nearly five decades after a landmark share sale in Asia that went on to mint the continent’s richest person. In 1977, Dhirubhai Ambani sold shares in Reliance to thousands of domestic investors and reshaped equity culture in India. In this special episode of the Next Africa podcast, we ask whether Dangote could spark a similar transformation in Africa. Bloomberg’s Managing Editor for Africa, Arijit Ghosh and our Abuja based reporter Nduka Orjinmo join Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss what we know about the IPO, why Ambani’s IPO in 1977 was such a game changer and what needs to happen if Dangote is to have the same effect. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    20 min
  3. Why Starlink Is Dividing South Africa

    17 APR

    Why Starlink Is Dividing South Africa

    Starlink, SpaceX’s Satellite Internet Service is pushing for changes to South Africa’s equality rules which it says blocks the company from operating in Africa’s most industrialised economy.   South Africa requires companies in some sectors to have at least 30% Black ownership. These laws were introduced after the end of apartheid and they compelled companies in industries including banking, mining and telecommunications to sell stakes to Black people who were systematically excluded from the economy during White-minority rule, but now the governing coalition is split on whether to change this law.  On this week’s episode - Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by Bloomberg’s Senior Technology Reporter Loni Prinsloo and reporter Rivaldo Jantjies, on how Starlink has been growing across Africa, why South Africa is so important to the company, and how likely it is that rules could change. Read our latest reporting on Starlink and South Africa here, and for more stories from the region subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    13 min
  4. Could Global Turmoil Make Africa A Safer Bet For Investors

    10 APR

    Could Global Turmoil Make Africa A Safer Bet For Investors

    Global conflicts from the Middle East to Ukraine are reshaping how investors assess risk — and challenging perceptions about Africa.On today’s Next Africa podcast, Tiwa Adebayo, in for Jennifer Zabasajja, speaks with Zain Latif, founder of TLG Capital, about why he believes the continent is increasingly being seen as a more resilient investment destination. He explains why sectors with steady, defensive returns are drawing interest even as global volatility rises. Plus, Emerging Markets reporter Ray Ndlovu discusses why Africa is starting to look more attractive to investors.Read our special feature on investing in Nigeria here, and subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    19 min
  5. Why Water Is Africa’s Next Precious Commodity

    2 APR

    Why Water Is Africa’s Next Precious Commodity

    Lesotho’s abundant water has become one of the kingdom’s most strategic revenue streams. Its landmark deal to provide water for neighboring South Africa underscores the growing importance of water diplomacy across a continent increasingly strained by scarcity. In this episode of the Next Africa Podcast, Jennifer Zabasajja speaks with Bloomberg’s Andre-Pierre du Plessis about Lesotho’s push to modernize its four-decade-old water agreement for the 21st century, and then speaks with Olivier Cogels, Professor Emeritus of UCLouvain, and advisor to governments across Africa and Asia, to explore how water-sharing deals can adapt to mounting pressure from climate change and rising demand.For more stories from the region you can subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    18 min
  6. Why the war in Iran Risks a Farming Crisis in Africa

    26 MAR

    Why the war in Iran Risks a Farming Crisis in Africa

    The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is causing turmoil in energy markets, and is also hitting the price and supply of crucial fertilizers.   On this week’s episode Bloomberg’s Agnieszka de Sousa and René Vollgraaff join Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss why the Strait of Hormuz is so crucial to fertilizer supplies, and how energy shortages and rising costs could have far reaching effects on Africa’s farmers and the price of food For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    15 min
  7. Is Somaliland Israel’s New Foothold Against Houthis?

    19 MAR

    Is Somaliland Israel’s New Foothold Against Houthis?

    After becoming the first UN member to recognise the breakaway territory of Somaliland, Israel is now quietly planning for a potential base at the mouth of the Red Sea from which to strike one of the Iran’s last proxies still operating at full strength: the Houthis of Yemen. On this episode of the Next Africa podcast, Jennifer Zabsajja is joined by Bloomberg’s Simon Marks and our Israel bureau chief Ethan Bronner to discuss why Somaliland is strategically important to to Israel, what Israeli military presence on the horn of Africa could look like, and what impact it could have across the region.You can read Simon Mark’s reporting from Somaliland here and for more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    15 min
  8. Why Is Africa A US Political Flashpoint?

    13 MAR

    Why Is Africa A US Political Flashpoint?

    US Lawmakers have called on Nigeria to repeal Sharia law in the country’s north as they probe US President Donald Trump’s unfounded allegations of Christian persecution in the country. This follows previous unfounded claims from the US administration of a white genocide in South Africa. On this week's episode of the Next Africa Podcast Jennifer Zabasajja talks to Bloomberg's Deputy Managing Editor for the Middle East and Africa Neil Munshi and our South Africa government reporter S’thembile Cele about how Nigerian Christians and White South Africans have become a big issue in Washington DC and what impact it’s having on US African relations.  For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    16 min
See All (105)

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About

Next Africa is a weekly podcast about where Africa is going and why it matters to everyone. Each episode tells a story from the continent and follows it through real life, business, politics and culture. From electricity and climate to jobs, migration, technology, sport and music, the podcast looks at the forces shaping daily life and how those changes connect to the wider world. The show covers challenges and breakthroughs side by side. It explains the impact of energy shortages and climate risk, but also the rise of new industries, creative economies and young entrepreneurs. Stories are reported on the ground and told with clarity, combining data, context and lived experience. Hosted by Jennifer Zabasajja and built on original journalism from reporters on the ground, Next Africa puts local voices at the centre of the story, delivering clear, factual reporting without cliché or assumption. Whether you live on the continent or want to better understand a region shaping the future, Next Africa offers insight, perspective and stories worth listening to.

Information

  • Channel
    Bloomberg
  • Creator
    Bloomberg
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    105
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Bloomberg
  • Show Website
    Next Africa
  • Provider
    Bloomberg L.P.

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